Coronation Cup 2014

Epsom 2.40

Investec Coronation Cup (In Commemoration Of St Nicholas Abbey) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £218,900 - 8 run

Advice: 1 pt win Flintshire (9/2 general)

Battalion: Very disappointing when upped in class latest, having possibly found the ground too quick for his liking although beaten before race properly got going; Double same will happen here but be surprised if he can take a hand even if back to best.

Cirrus Des Aigles: Top class stalwart over 1m2f and 1m4f over past 3 seasons and as good as he’s ever been; Second to Gentildonna in Sheema Classic when ahead of Empoli and then got better of Treve in stretch drive when revelling in the deep ground and then afterwards won D’Isphan in fine style, albeit a weak race for the level; The one to beat on recent form and rain this morning should help although more would be helpful.

Empoli: Lightly raced, but already proven quality over middle distances in Germany and took that form to the International stage when fourth behind Cirrus and Gentildonna in the Sheema Classic last time out when making taking late progress late; Can go just as well today and worth considering.

Flintshire: Built on the promise of first two starts in fine style (impressive winner on debut) with pair of impressive pattern wins before withering turn of foot to land Grand Prix De Paris; A little disappointing in Prix Niel and Arc, but those runs both come on soft ground, and only been beaten when ground has been worse than good; On better surface today than those two, of great interest to continue improvement.

Joshua Tree: Three time winner of Canadian International but this level in Europe always been beyond him and could get nowhere near Cirrus Des Aigles latest; Ground more in his favour today but others make far more appeal.

Ambivalent: Received fine ride to win Pretty Polly Stakes and then career best when ahead of Empoli, and close up behind Cirrus Des Aigles in Dubai; Possibly allowed too easy a time upfront on his own when landing York Group 2 but the form reads well and not to be dismissed.

Beacon Lady: Trashed rivals on return in handicap here but this a different league altogether and hard to see her getting close.

Talent: Far too strong for her rivals at the end of the Oaks and bounced back from Irish disappointment in big way when second in St Leger; Possible that she didn’t handle the ground when third on last start of the season at Ascot and can do as well as 4yo but this a testing first assignment.

VERDICT: A well-contested renewal. Cirrus Des Aigles will have loved the rain that has hit the course and changed the ground to good, good to soft in places – this makes him the horse to beat even more, but FLINTSHIRE looked a serious middle distance prospect last year and with the rain (at the time of writing) seemingly set to stay away, he can give the favourite a serious test here. Empoli and Talent can be thereabouts.